Certificate Program

Be prepared to take the next step

Men who complete the philosophy and theology course work while participating in the our household life will be eligible to receive a Priestly Discernment Program Certificate. This certificate confirms that the student has successfully begun the process of formation in the human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and fraternal realms.

Here’s what some of our graduates who have moved on to seminary have said:

“I’m thriving in the seminary and I owe it to my time in the program which gave me the support and opportunity to immerse myself in prayer, study, and discernment with a community of like-minded young men.”-David Hammond, third year theology, Mundelein Seminary, Chicago

“This summer at my parish assignment, the priest thought I was a fourth year theologian, not a second year. I credit my time in Franciscan’s Priestly Discernment Program for that.”-Kyle Stanton, second year theology, St. John’s Seminary, Boston

"God's call in my life became so much clearer when I actually began to live out what I thought He was asking me to do. My time in the program was an awesome time of fellowship both with God and my household brothers."-Adam Hertzfeld, third year theology, North American College, Rome

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik with Franciscan University Priestly Discernment Program students and the Program secretary Lucia Bortz.